Original subtitles

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

Violence is like alcohol and sex.

It's not a phenomenon, it's a process.

We get into it without noticing.

Because we're ripe for it.

I was ruthless at the beginning,

but it was time to go to the next step,

where everyone would start noticing.

Inspired by Inhuman Resources by Pierre Lemaître

I reckon the hostages we're supposed to break are in this lot.

Quite a fancy bunch, eh?

You bet... Look at this one...

Guess where I found him?

In his school's directory.

Look.

Cousin...

CEO's special adviser for international affairs.

In short: no job description, no official role.

Always travelling.

Yep.

Look. Maldives, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Switzerland.

Deals with private banking, in tax havens.

He's in charge of Exxya's shady deals.

The offshore accounts.

He's second in command

and he oversees financial matters.

You know what?

I think I came across him two days ago.

Cousin...

Cousin.

See, I'm not drunk all the time! Look.

"Paul Cousin, set to be Exxya's CEO."

When was that?

It was... two years ago.

And Dorfmann?

Dorfmann... Wait.

- Dorfmann was named last year. - Excellent!

Cousin got snubbed at the finish line! He'll never fire on the crowd.

Let's drop him.

There's him, there: Guéneau.

- Not bad. - Yeah?

Ambitious, hard worker...

He does all the air shows.

Dubai, Santiago, Seoul.

Nice one.

He'll go for it: this bastard would toss out the whole factory without a flinch!

He's perfect.

Florence Ancelin,

43, trained as a top civil servant, in charge of PR and media relations.

No children.

Married to her job.

It's a keeper.

Our third choice... Clémentine Haddad.

Alain, here.

These three are our targets.

Now we load the guns and let the dogs loose.

Let's hope we've picked the right ones.

Albert Kaminsky.

Any personal experience about taking hostages?

- Absolutely. - Everyone who calls says that.

I was with the counter-terrorism unit all my life.

You can check.

Why are you no longer there?

May I ask how old you are?

Over 50, under 60. Why is this relevant?

At my age, I quickly spot certain types.

Fags,

fascists, racists,

alcoholics, junkies...

People like you too.

You know who I am, Mr. Delambre.

You were fired from the police for misconduct.

So what?

So why should I trust someone like you?

You wouldn't, if you had the choice, but I doubt you have a choice. Right?

Four half-days of weapons training. How much?

What exactly do you want to know?

How kidnappers proceed and how victims react.

35,000.

20,000.

30,000.

15,000.

25,000.

Okay.

For this price, I want you to look into three people.

To write a novel?

Are you kidding me?

What do you want to know about your hostages?

I want to strip them bare.

Malpractice, debts,

family problems, sisters on drugs, alcoholic spouse,

lies, lovers, mistresses...

I want everything.

I'll start when I get the money.

25,000 euros?

Yes.

Tell me how I get a loan and how to get it fast.

- Tomorrow would be fine. - Wait.

First, what's it for?

A job, a golden opportunity, but I need 25,000 euros.

Wait, you want to buy a job?

Yes, I pay and I get the job.

That's illegal.

Whether it's legal or not that's not the point.

It's been six years now. Have you ever been unemployed?

So lend me 25,000 for a car, kitchen, whatever,

and I'll pay you back in three months.

Look, we...

You need guarantees to get a loan.

I'll get a job!

But you don't have it yet.

- What if I had a sponsor? - Who?

I don't know. You.

That's impossible, we're buying an apartment.

Our loan won't allow it.

Grégory,

I really need this money.

I beg you.

I can't help you, Alain, really.

Know what I'd do if I were you? Go on holiday.

Clear your head.

If you can't afford a hotel, go camping.

Are you OK?

Sir?

Can you hear me?

Let's sit you down.

Yes, Dad?

Can I come in?

I need 25,000 euros, sweetie.

If I pay I get the job.

But I don't have it!

You saved up 50,000.

Yes, but it's for the apartment.

That's in three months. I'll pay you back sooner.

It's Grégory's money too, I have to talk to him.

He'll agree, he's pragmatic,

but he'll take ages about it.

After six years of shit I've finally got a chance. Will you help me or not?

Sweetie, I really do need this money.

- How will you pay it back? - They'll give me an advance.

I'll pay you back in three weeks, maybe two.

If I pay them today, I get the job. If not, I'm dead.

You want your daddy dead?

Don't tell Grégory. It's our secret.

I'll pay you back, I swear.

If you want an IOU, I'll sign it now.

Quick, before the bank closes.

Let's go.

Here.

Thanks.

You've got to promise. We sign in three months.

I'll have paid you back long before then. Have I ever lied to you?

Thanks.

What happened, Alain?

Grégory is in the hospital.

- You stole her money? - I'm expecting a baby!

What's wrong? You're extorting money from your daughter and beating up her husband?

- Are you crazy? - Listen...

Give Mathilde the money back now!

- It's too late. - I don't believe you. Where is it?

Give it to me, I'll give it to Mathilde.

Give it to me!

I spent it.

- I spent it to get the job. - What?

A special contribution. It's called a "down payment warranty".

What?

Yes, there are new rules, now!

You have to pay to get a job now in recruitment firms!

- I've never heard of that. - You're not looking for work, that's why!

And the role-playing thing? The executives?

Just a formality, Nicole. I paid so the job is mine.

What if they keep it and don't give you the job?

They'll confirm it by e-mail any minute now.

I want to see it.

OK, fine.

- When do you start? - In two weeks.

I hope so!

You're destroying our marriage and your daughter's life!

Charles, could you do me a favor please?

Send me an e-mail with a BLC Consulting header,

confirming that I have the job.

You see?

Here, the gun doesn't touch the hostage.

Get up.

You can touch him with the gun, to scare him

but only if you're sure he won't kick the gun away.

I shot 13 bullets.

How many are left?

Four.

Perfect.

Now you need to understand your hostages' mental state.

Put your cup down.

On your knees, asshole! Spread your legs, like a girl! Come on, Delambre!

Arms out!

Palms up!

Get up.

About striking.

You see the impact of a sudden slap?

It stuns the hostage,

throws him off.

If you want to keep them confused,

double down.

There are two methods for that.

First, threaten,

then shout.

Noise level in overdrive. Loud enough to stop them thinking.

Got it?

What's this rumor all about?

That Exxya's losing it.

They'll impose someone to run Beauvais.

- Probably a German. - The English are in the running, too.

Either German or English, we lose control of the operation.

Are you stupid? Can't you see it's fake news?

We fire 1,250 people that's 1,250 families.

4 to 5,000 people.

You think they'll send a foreigner to Beauvais to clean up our dirt?

Please!

It certainly shows they're impatient.

It's a warning, and that's never good.

It means we have to speed up.

Yes, but how can we go any faster?

By putting a new manager in place in three weeks.

U.S. embassy hostages

German special forces

Hostage-taking in Beslan

Fear of terrorist action in Ireland

Photograph of female hostage in Iran...

Hostage-taking in Gladbeck

Use of paralyzing gas

Alain, I'm suing you for battery and theft.

Let me explain.

Tell it to the judge, I'm going to the police.

Doing that to a pregnant woman is low. Very low!

Wait, Grégory!

- Hello? - Look, sweetie, I'll come by...

Dad!

My life was spinning out of control

but something weird was happening.

I was active again, working to get a job.

I was working and it felt good.

As for my methods, I admit...

they're questionable.

But in terms of efficiency, I wasn't doing bad.

I'd made very few mistakes up till then.

If I went on like that, I could pay off the apartment

and reconcile with Nicole and the girls.

Grégory would heal and all would be fine.

This wasn't the time to back down.

Hi.

- Okay, honey? - I don't have much time.

Did you look into my thing?

Yes, but cases vary a lot.

Assault can go from a small fine to...

Self-defense.

No, that's not how it works, Dad.

Can't you talk to their lawyer?

You're a lawyer and you know her...

- It's awkward... - You said she's a bitch.

You could reach a deal with her.

All right.

I'll talk to her. OK?

See you later.

- Hi. - Hi.

- This is Mr. Fontana. - Hello.

And his team. Yasmine and Antoine.

- Hi. - Hello.

I'm impressed by you and your team's track record, Mr. Fontana.

Taking hostages requires special skills, no?

- All three of them have... - Don't worry.

It's only a game.

How should we set up the interrogation procedure?

They'll be with the hostages. The recruiters will be in another room,

asking their questions through a wire. The hostages will think

the questions come from them.

We need to preserve the element of surprise. There can't be any leaks.

We'll bypass security measures and set it up overnight.

No video, phones or recordings during the operation.

That goes for us too.

Can I see your equipment?

HK MP5, used by special forces.

Simple and effective.

AK-47, known as Kalashnikov. The most popular assault rifle.

9mm Uzi, very easy to use.

Stéphanie.

How are you, Lucie?

How's Jeremy?

I know you're trying to get at me through my dad.

Not at all. My client, Autofix...

You have nothing,

just a letter from an alcoholic who withdrew his testimony.

Asking 100,000 euros for two days in hospital is amateurish.

It'll be dismissed and you'll be ridiculed into the bargain!

I think, on the contrary, that the judge will convict your father

and that 100,000 euros will seem reasonable.

You'll have to prove...

Threatening a lawyer

with the intent to impede his work is considered a felony.

- Your dad has a skill for screwing up. - What do you mean?

Didn't he tell you?

He came to see me a few days ago.

Ask the security guys.

Maybe I can ask for 50,000 in damages.

I'm tempted...

What do you think?

What's this?

It's role-playing. A hostage situation.

What do you mean, hostage-taking?

An armed unit will take some people hostage and see how they do.

Wait.

You're getting people to believe they're taken hostage in their workplace, right?

That's sick!

- It's not what you think. - And what should I think?

An armed unit bursts into your office,

you think you might die,

just to amuse your boss?

Why not shoot them? Just for fun?

It's just a trick, honey...

Better yet.

Put a mattress outside, don't tell them,

throw them out the window and see how they land.

It's done now. I paid, I have the job.

Two guys with plastic guns, it'll last 15 minutes.

It's just to see if they can keep their calm, right?

I'm getting a job, for sure. That's what matters, no?

What are you turning into?

A man with a job.

The man I married would never do this!

Because he wasn't out of work for six years

and didn't have to pass out pizza flyers!

Unemployment is not an excuse.

That's what people with jobs say.

I'd passed the point of no return.

I'd robbed my daughter Mathilde, her husband was suing me,

Autofix could cause me to lose my apartment...

Nicole was having doubts about me.

On top of this, I had to appear totally confident.

This is Nicole Delambre's answerphone. Leave a message after the tone.

What the fuck are you doing, Dad?

What do you mean?

No one understands you.

You headbutt people,

you rob your daughters, you lie to everyone...

I'm looking for work, can't you see?

I thought you'd found some.

- Everyone's pissed at me! - No!

I'm pissed at your constant lies.

I don't lie to you.

I talked to Gilson.

Great idea to go and see her and yell at her at court!

Are you doing this to bug me or can't you help it?

- She's bullshitting. - They've got you on CCTV.

- Hello. - Hi.

It's no surprise she refuses to negotiate.

Fuck it! How can I pay 100,000?

She's testing your resistance. Get it?

She'll settle for a more reasonable sum in the end.

- How reasonable is that? - 20 or 30,000.

Call that reasonable?

Dad, I can't wipe your slate clean!

- I'm a pain in the ass. - No...

I can tell I am.

I should talk to my kids like at a job interview!

Why do you say that?

Corporate model won over education, the state... Now it's the family.

(Want to meet your daughter? 1) Set your goals,

(2) Build your arguments,

(3) Anticipate resistance.

Stop it.

Still...

your foreman, Grégory, Gilson... It's time to calm down!

Grégory deserved it. Have you never wanted to punch him?

Everyone has!

But robbing him by coercing Mathilde has never occurred to me!

You paid. Are you sure you have this job?

- The guy promised, I think so... - You think so?

No guarantee but his word?

What am I supposed to do? Ask him for a receipt for a bribe?

You gave him 25 thousand with no guarantee? Are you crazy?

Since you paid for it, why take people hostage?

Look, the hostage thing

is a harmless role-playing game.

No. It's violent and illegal.

It's just role-playing!

It's violence directed at employees and you're an accessory.

It's not as violent as being unemployed! All right?

Your mom is all "holier than thou" because she has a job.

I'd rather you were on my side.

- It's not a war, Dad. - Yes, it is.

Between jobseekers. The winners survive and all the others die.

You know what? Wage your own war. Don't call me when you're in jail.

Excuse me. Thank you.

Lie down.

Same as before.

Spread your legs.

A professional hostage-taker has got to stay sharp.

To eliminate all risk, get it?

The shouting, the threats,

it's all to stay in total control of the situation. OK?

Come on. Give me your hand.

Good.

Right!

I need to know how to use the hostages' secrets to break them down.

That's right. But what sort of secrets?

You have to poke where it hurts.

- Hello. - Mr. Delambre?

The big day is on Sunday, 9 a.m.

OK. And the address?

To avoid any leak you'll get an e-mail at 7 a.m. on Sunday. OK?

How do you feel?

Yes... I feel great.

Good. Goodbye, Mr. Delambre.

Goodbye.

Private Psychiatric Clinic

Goodbye.

Fuck!

Shit, I missed him!

Look.

Is that him?

Yeah, that's him.

Well done.

Hi, old buddy. Anything new?

I followed Ancelin and guess what,

she checks into a psychiatric clinic every night at 7:30.

- For what? - I don't know, but...

the clinic's site says it's for psychotic disorders: schizophrenia,

bipolar disorder, anxiety, mood disorder, personality disorder...

Lots of disorders!

I'm sorry, my love.

This will soon be behind us, I promise.

Open

Deputy budget director

Yearbook of former students

- Hello? - Hi, Charles. I'm a bit stuck here.

Yeah, me too.

A problem?

I'm being summoned to court.

Autofix's lawyer is threatening me if I don't show up.

Don't worry, I'll get the job and pay them.

I'll even get you a car.

I hope you're right because...

Of course I am.

I've a photo of a guy who's fucking Clémentine Haddad.

He looks familiar but I can't find him.

Can you send it to me?

Right away.

There, I've sent it.

I got the photo.

Give me a minute.

OK.

It's running.

Come on, come on!

Right...

Got him.

Eric Martens. Do you know him?

AERONAUTICS: CONNEL-EVANS WINS SOUTH-AFRICAN MARKET

The US's Connel-Evans was chosen over the French group

and awarded a large South African contract.

He works for Connel-Evans. Head of operations.

The slut! She's sleeping with the competition!

We'll turn her inside-out!

Yeah. That's two down.

Thanks, Charles. Bye.

Jean-Marie Guéneau.

We got him by the balls.

The commandos.

I once worked with guys like that.

Luckily they're on your side, or you'd stand no chance.

So...

how do you feel?

I'm playing for my life.

I don't ask that kind of question.

OK. Let's get back to it.

No, madam.

A desktop on your computer

isn't your actual desk.

No.

Are you looking at your screen?

Yes?

I'll call you back, madam.

Nicole.

- All right? - Hello, Charles.

Can we talk a few minutes?

It won't be long. I haven't much time.

Yes, of course.

I know you're very close to Alain.

Yeah, me and him are like that.

I don't understand what's happening to him.

Maybe you can help me.

We're close, but not that close.

In fact, he doesn't tell me much.

I know it's looking good for his job at Exxya, but...

Do you know about this...

role-playing game?

Role-playing game?

He hasn't mentioned it.

He's a secretive guy, you know. He's...

Did he tell you he's paying a bribe to get the job?

- A bribe? - Yes.

Well that's...

It's crazy how greedy people are!

Always assume a gun is loaded. Don't forget.

That's it, good.

Loaded, ready to fire.

Perfect. Loosen up.

Flex. That's good.

Forward, forward.

Go on, forward.

Left. Good.

Right.

Perfect. Right.

Forward. Yes.

That's good. Right.

Nicole?

What's this?

Who's he?

Fuck!

Get out of here.

Out!

- Let me explain. - No!

This hostage thing, it's not a game with water pistols.

Where are you going with this?

- I get your point. - No, you don't!

This hostage hoax is incompatible with who we are.

Don't make me live with it.

All I know is I'm in the race.

And where will it lead you, exactly?

- Can't you see we'll soon be homeless? - What?

Yes, it's disgusting but so is our life!

These people are scum but I'm going to do it! Do you hear?

I'll do whatever they ask me! Everything!

Even if I have to shoot them to get this job,

I'll do it because I'm sick of going down!

Do you hear me?

This job is my life. I get it or I die.

What do you prefer?

I'm sorry.

This is Nicole Delambre's answerphone. Leave a message after the tone.

I'm sorry, my love. Come back.

I'll explain... I'll stop it all.

That's it, I'll stop everything. Call me back quickly.

Lucie, if you see Mom, ask her to call me.

It's urgent, sweetie.

I don't believe it! What are you doing here? Where's the money?

Let me in. I have to talk to Nicole.

She's not here.

- What about my daughter... - No way!

You hurt her enough. Out of the question!

Listen, Nicole,

call me.

Tell me where you are, I'll come for you.

She's a good woman, your Nicole.

Too bad. We were almost there.

Just tell yourself, buddy,

that in a couple of days you'll scare a few people, get the job,

and it's all back to normal.

Yes, I'm the joker.

Sure! No one's as prepared as you.

It's nice of you to help me. Why are you doing all this?

I was also a hotshot in my job, like you.

My wife wasn't as great as yours but she was still pretty good.

Then I had problems.

And after that,

I wasn't as reliable at work, a few things slipped past me...

Finally, they threw me out.

I already had a weak spot for booze...

Here.

That's life.

Hello sir, I've a letter for you.

There you go... Please...

just sign here.

Perfect.

- Have a nice day. - You too.

Fuck!

Hello, this is Lucie Delambre's answerphone,

please leave a message...

Lucie, Autofix has three more witnesses.

You talked of a reasonable sum but they're confirming 100,000 euros. Call me quick.

- Yes? - Mr. Delambre?

It's Olenka Zbikowski from BLC Consulting.

I need to talk to you.

I'll come down.

The dice are loaded, Mr. Delambre.

The job will go to a candidate named Constance Rivet,

a very close friend of Bertrand Lacoste.

She'll get the job.

I'm sorry but you stand no chance.

What do you mean? But I passed the test.

No, you didn't.

You failed miserably, I'm sorry.

You should've been rejected then.

Lacoste said: "You're my joker. It's the end of the tunnel."

That's his style.

He kept you as a foil.

He knew that even if you did well,

the client would not want a man your age.

Why pick me, then?

It's like with women.

They won't hire one, but they put them up on display.

Same thing with seniors.

They needed at least one. And that was you.

I don't want you to waste your time.

And get humiliated.

I'm informing all the candidates.

Except Miss Rivet.

This is bullshit. It makes no sense.

Lacoste used me,

pressured me, drained my energy

and in the end, he dumped me.

So I want his wonderful scheme to fail through lack of participants.

Don't go, Mr. Delambre.

Don't exhaust yourself for a job that was never meant for you.

My only hope of getting my life back had just vanished.

I'd done all that...

maybe destroyed my family, for one reason:

to get a job.

But it was all an illusion.

In the end I was just a pawn.

MEMORANDUM Human resources

Gilson-Charrier, associate lawyers

Kaminsky, can you do me a favor?

If I can.

I need a gun with real bullets.